The stores of Sunny Group are increasingly welcomed by more and more consumers of various ethnic, for their outstanding,
acclaimed images, clean and stylish stores, multicultural foods and products, innovative ideas, and good customer services.
We will also continue to exert ourselves to provide a better service to our customers.

Sunny Group provides a wide, growing and multicultural range of products and services to our consumers.

Bridgepointâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Great Jewellery
Heist is a shining success

VISIT WITH SANTA
December 1-24

Complete Hours posted at the
Santa Display
All children having a photo taken with
Santa will receive a FREE Gerard Square
loot bag and FREE admission to Santaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
Village.
*while supplies last.

PET PHOTOS

Sunday, December 8 & 15
4:30pm to 6pm

HOLIDAY GIFT WRAPPING
December 6-24
On the Upper Level at Toys R Us
In Support of:

24 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
Follow us on facebook for your
chance to win 1 of 24 daily prizes
plus a grand prize of
$300 in Mall Gift Certificates*
*Get your ballot for the grand prize by bringing your Gerrard Square receipt(s) totaling $25 to the Lotto Booth.
Receipts must be from December 1 - 24, 2013. Limit one per person per week.

Festivals, food,
and friendship

ON THE
COVER:
Celebrity
Chef Lynn
Crawford
discusses a
slower
approach to
life and
cooking.

8 | Goodlife Beaches - December 2013 - January 2014

by Peter Haggert

cessful jewellery heist. More than $200,000
was raised in support of Bidgepoint. You
can see proof of the fun they had raising the
money on Pages 48 and 49.
Let’s not forget the seasonal efforts of
Main St.’s Community Centre 55 (Page 46.)
Their Share a Christmas campaign helped
nearly 800 families last year with essential
items and a little bit of Christmas cheer. It’s
been 32 years since the centre began the
annual campaign and there’s rich appreciation of this community collection of goods
that stay in the community for those truly
in need.
Enjoy the transition to 2014 (where does
the time go?) with family and friends. Try
a family exercise in cooking. Pick a recipe
everyone can own because they contributed
to the making. Maybe it’s the start of a family tradition!
As always, please let us know what you
think of our magazine – and thank you for
your support during our successful first year
of publication.

ere we are, preparing to head into
a busy season of festivals, food
and friendship.
So it’s appropriate in preparation for this
edition of GoodLife magazine we spent a
good deal of time in the kitchen, learning
about great recipes, wonderful places to eat
and enjoying fascinating tales of entrepreneurial perseverance.
You’ve got to cook with passion and
you’ve got to cook with love.
But first the simple stuff. You thought
you knew cocoa? Well guess again with our
fabulous trio of recipes on Page 22.
Then let celebrity chef Lynn Crawford,
owner of Queen Street East’s Ruby Watchco, motivate you with her obvious joy of
cooking and an outstanding love for helping
the community.
Oh yes, and throw in her recipe for an
“Everything green salad with green goddess
dressing” (Page 14) as a legacy to the reading of Izabela Jaroszynski’s fine story.
Then let chef John Cunningham and
owner Nathan Hynes warm you with the
new story (Page 16) of the Auld Spot.
With fresh ingredients, in–house cooking,
the Danforth Pub makes a case to become
a home away from home for the dining
crowd.
One more note – congratulations to
Bridgepoint Active Healthcare on their suc-

GoodLife is a lifestyle magazine published six times per year:
February/March, April/May, June/July, August/September,
October/November, December/January by Metroland Media Toronto, a division of Metroland Media Group Ltd. It
is delivered to 20,000 households in the Beach, Leslieville,
Riverdale, Beach Hill and Danforth neighbourhoods of Toronto, to households served by The Beach Mirror or The
East York Mirror. GoodLife magazine is also available at select
retail locations in these areas. Statements, opinions and
points of view expressed are those of the writer and do not
necessarily represent those of the publisher, advertisers or
GoodLife magazine. All rights reserved. Any reproduction
of this publication in whole or in part must be approved
by the publisher.

Protect the sensitive area around your eyes throughout the harsh
season with Biotherm’s Blue Therapy Eye, which is suitable for
all skin types. The non-sticky, non-shiny cream will reduce wrinkles
and darkness as well as keep the skin of your face’s most noticeable
feature firm. 25ml pot available for $55. biotherm.ca

7

7
Winter days may be dull,
but that doesn’t mean
your skin has to match
the weather. Brighten your
complexion and eliminate
pesky dark spots with Estée
Lauder’s CyberWhite
Brilliant Cells Full
Spectrum Brightening
Essence. Apply the fastabsorbing serum before your
moisturizer every morning
and night for the formula’s
advanced anti-spot and
illuminating technologies
to work with your skin’s
synergy to achieve clarity
and radiance. 30ml tube
available for $110. www.
esteelauder.com

7
Swap your moisturizing lotion for Dermalogica’s Super Rich Repair
to combat extreme dehydration caused by chilly environmental
conditions as well as correct prematurely aging skin conditions. A
rich moisturizer like this one will quench and replenish even the
driest of skin to restore its glow. 50ml tube available for $101 at
select salons and spas. dermalogica.ca
10 | Goodlife Beaches - December 2013 - January 2014

7

Sub-zero temperatures can
wreak havoc on your hands,
leaving them severely dry and
cracked. Soothe sore hands and
prevent further damage with
Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength
Hand Salve. This thick salve is
packed with a blend of botanical
oils and a natural wax derived
from olive oil that offers heavyduty protection throughout the
day by repairing your skin’s
appearance and protecting it
against the frigid winter elements. 7 ml tube available for
$18. kiehls.ca

Seasonal dryness isn’t limited to
your face. Keep your entire body
hydrated and feeling smooth with
Fresh’s Sugar Açaí Age-Delay
Body Cream. Not only is the
formula enhanced with Açaí oil
that hydrates the skin and provides
antioxidant protection, but it also
boasts citrus fruit acids that remove
dead, dry skin. Sugar apple extract
and sweet almond protein that
boost collagen production and
firmness round out this super
cream. 6.8 oz tube available for
$75 at Sephora. sephora.ca

• FEATURE •

slowing
down
with

Lynn Crawford

‘O

h, those look really
good.”
Lynn
Crawford,
celebrity chef and
owner of Leslieville’s
Ruby Watchco, is eyeing a basket of local pears
brought in by a merchant.
“I’ve also got peaches,” he tells her. “The last
batch of the season.”
Crawford, known for her love of all things
local and fresh, nods her head in appreciation
and points him toward the kitchen where her
head chef, Lora Kirk, is busy prepping for the
evening’s meal. It is mid-afternoon and the
kitchen at Ruby Watchco is buzzing. On this

particular day, the menu features a watermelon
salad followed by grilled flank steak with sweet
hot pepper sauce.
Since opening its doors in spring of 2010,
Ruby Watchco has become a staple for diners
looking for a unique eating experience on this
busy stretch of Queen Street East. The concept
is pretty simple: the chef decides what to cook,
using seasonal ingredients for inspiration, and
the diners, well, they eat it. Only one set fourcourse meal is prepared each night and served,
family-style, in red Le Creuset dishes.
Diners, who’ve often made reservations
weeks in advance, won’t know what they’re
eating until that day. But Crawford promises it

BY Izabela Jaroszynski
Photography by Nick perry
will be delicious.
“The food that is cooked here is very much
how I like to cook at home,” she says. “So I
guess I’m very lucky in that I can invite 100
guests to the restaurant every night and it’s like
I’m cooking for them at home because Ruby
Watchco is very much home to me.”
Doing away with an a la carte menu is certainly a bold concept, but Crawford has the
credentials to pull it off, day after day. One of
Canada’s most recognized celebrity chefs – perhaps best known for her appearance on hit >>
GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 11

• FEATURE •
>> Food Network shows Restaurant Makeover
and Pitchin’ In – Crawford has spent nearly three
decades working in some of the world’s hottest
kitchens. In fact, it was her experience years ago
in Alice Waters’ Chez Panisse kitchen in California that inspired her to create a table d’hôte-type
atmosphere at Ruby Watchco.
“I’ve always been enamored by that dining
experience I had years and years ago at Chez
Panisse,” Crawford says. “A set menu, chefs
with heart, with talent, with passion cooking
behind the stoves, creating that dining experience, matching it with local wines and sharing
the table. And that’s what we do here.”
For Crawford, who has had a spectacular international career since graduating from Toronto’s
George Brown College, having her own restaurant in her hometown is a dream come true.
“It’s what I’ve always wanted to do and now
I’m doing it. I’m very, very lucky.”
Luck may actually have very little to do with
Crawford’s immense success. The Toronto-born
chef has a strong work ethic, putting her heart
into each new venture. She rose to the top while
working at the prestigious Four Seasons hotel,
becoming the company’s first female executive
chef.
She made a name for herself around the world
with her down-to-earth television persona and
her infectious love of local, seasonal food.
And despite her busy schedule, Crawford
finds time for charity work, helping raise funds
for cancer research. In honour of a dear friend
lost to kidney cancer, Crawford participates each
summer as a judge in the Thrill of the Grill, a
Danforth rib cooking competition that raises
money for kidney cancer research at the Odette
Cancer Centre at Sunnybrook Health Sciences
Centre.
“If I can inspire, if I can motivate, if I can help,
I’ll be the first one there,” she says. On Dec. 7,
she will participate in the culinary showdown at
the KitchenAid Cook for the Cure at Toronto’s
Fairmont Royal York hotel.
“I just want to give back,” she says. “Food and
fundraising just seems like the perfect match.”
If there’s one theme that runs through Crawford’s life and career, it’s the idea of slowing
down to share food around a table. She remembers her childhood when sitting down to meals

Ruby Watchco is located at 730 Queen St.
E., with Ruby Eats located down the street
at 742 Queen St. E. Call Ruby Watchco at
416-465-0100 or visit www.rubywatchco.ca

12 | Goodlife Beaches - December 2013 - January 2014

‘It’s what I’ve always wanted
to do and now I’m doing it.
I’m very, very lucky.’
– Lynn Crawford
with her family was important.
“As you get older, you become busy and those
times being at the table with my family, sharing
laughter and stories and each other’s company,
are the warmest memories. It’s just so important
to take that time in the day.”

From the family-friendly atmosphere of her
shared dining experience at Ruby Watchco to the
simple family meals in her cookbook At Home
with Lynn Crawford to the celebration of farmers
on her show Pitchin’ In, Crawford just wants to
inspire families to cook and eat together.
“What I want people to do is I want them to
cook at home. I want everybody in our busy lives
just to take a moment, just to take a break, and
realize that there are great joys in the simplicity
of cooking for your family, for your friends, cooking at home.” GL

Top, the interior of Ruby Watchco. Below, Chef Lynn Crawford stocks the shelves of her restaurant
with preserves from her retail store, Ruby Eats, located close to the restaurant.

• FEATURE •

Chatting with Chef Lynn
Elevate your home-cooking with these tips from
acclaimed Chef Lynn Crawford
Get inspired! “You have to be inspired by the ingredients
that you like. Look at what’s in season right now and get
inspired by that. Get excited about cooking it.”

1

Stock up! “You should have stocks that you make yourself. It makes sense. You buy the chicken, you break down
the chicken and you use the bones after you roast it for
stock. You keep the stock for something else, like a soup.”

What is your favourite holiday tradition?
“For 24 years that I was with the Four Seasons, I
never celebrated Christmas on Christmas Day. It was
always something that you would celebrate before
or after. Here at Ruby Watchco, we shut down for a
couple of weeks and let all the staff enjoy family and
friends during that festive time. I think that’s very
special.”
“My father always cooked a Scottish breakfast on
Christmas day and it was always this highlight for us.
He would prepare this great Scottish breakfast with
tattie scones, eggs and black pudding sausage. He
passed away many years ago and I still carry on that
tradition.”

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 13

• FEATURE •

everything green salad with green goddess dressing recipe
I love salads to be filled with lots of vegetables rather than lots of lettuce. I add Boston lettuce to this one for its buttery flavour and wonderful silkiness, but otherwise I stick to beautiful
robust green vegetables. The peas and asparagus – bright green, warm, and sweet – will stand
out, complemented by the avocado’s creaminess, the dill’s freshness, and the feta’s saltiness.
Serves 4

BY lynn crawford

ions, avocado, dill and feta. Add dressing and
toss until salad is well coated. Season to taste
with salt and pepper and serve immediately.

Half fill a medium saucepan with cold salted
water and bring to a boil over medium-high
heat. Add snap peas and boil for 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a bowl of ice
water to stop cooking process and set colour.
Boil asparagus for 1 minute, then transfer to ice
water. When cooled, drain peas and asparagus
on paper towels.
In a large bowl, gently toss together peas, asparagus, cucumber, zucchini, lettuce, green on-

2 tbsp (30 mL) chopped chives
2 tbsp (30 mL) lemon juice
Salt and pepper
Place avocado, shallot, garlic, mayonnaise,
sour cream, parsley, chives and lemon juice in
a blender and process until smooth. Season to
taste with salt and pepper. Transfer dressing to
a container, cover, and refrigerate until ready to
use.

Introducing the 2013 Genesis. Our continual commitment to quality has made the Genesis a class leader in the Canadian Black
‡
Book full-size
car
segment
forOur
retained
value,commitment
and it’s the to
reason
why
presenta this
introductory
lease
offer ofBlack
$499†
Introducing
the
2013
Genesis.
continual
quality
haswe’re
madeable
thetoGenesis
class
leader in the
Canadian
‡
per
month.
The
2013
Genesis,
the
performance
luxury
sedan,
redefined.
Book full-size car segment for retained value, and it’s the reason why we’re able to present this introductory lease offer of $499†
per month. The 2013 Genesis, the performance luxury sedan, redefined.

™The Hyundai names, logos, product names, feature names, images and slogans are trademarks owned by Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. †Lease a new 2013 Genesis Sedan 3.8L GDI, and you’ll be entitled to a $2,000 factory to dealer lease credit. Factory to dealer lease credit applies before
taxes. Offer cannot be combined or used in conjunction with any other available offers. Offer is non-transferable and cannot be assigned. No
vehicle trade-in required. Leasing offer available O.A.C. from Hyundai Financial Services based on a new 2013 Genesis Sedan 3.8L GDI with an annual
†
™The
Hyundai
names,
logos,
productis names,
sloganslease.
are trademarks
owned byandHyundai
Auto Canada
Corp.
LeaseTotal
a newlease
2013obligation
Genesis Sedan
3.8L GDI,
be entitled
a $2,000tofactory
to dealer
Factory
to dealer lease
credit applies
before
lease rate
of 0%.
Monthly
payment
$499 perfeature
monthnames,
for 48images
month and
walk-away
$0 down payment
first monthly
payment
required.
is $23,952.
Leaseand
offeryou’ll
includes
$2,000to factory
dealer lease
creditlease
andcredit.
Delivery
and Destination
of $1,760.
Registration,
taxes.
Offer
cannot
be
combined
or
used
in
conjunction
with
any
other
available
offers.
Offer
is
non-transferable
and
cannot
be
assigned.
No
vehicledealer
trade-in
required.
Leasing
O.A.C.based
fromonHyundai
Financial
Services
on a new
2013 Genesis
with antime
annual
insurance, PPSA, fees, levies, charges, license fees and all applicable taxes are excluded. Delivery and destination charge includes freight, P.D.E.,
admin
fees and
a full offer
tank available
of gas. Lease
20,000km
per year;
$0.25based
per excess
kilometre.
Offers Sedan
available3.8L
forGDI
a limited
and
lease rate
of 0%. Monthly
payment
is $499
per month
for 48
walk-away
lease. may
$0 down
and firstismonthly
required.
lease Selling
obligation
$23,952.2013
Lease
offer includes
$2,000
to dealer
DeliveryDelivery
and Destination
of $1,760.
Registration,
subject
to change
or cancellation
without
notice.
See dealer
for month
complete
details. Dealer
sell forpayment
less. Inventory
limited, payment
dealer order
may beTotal
required.
priceis shown:
Genesis
Sedan 3.8L
GDI isfactory
$41,759.
Sellinglease
pricecredit
shownandincludes
and Destination
charge
of $1,760.
insurance,
PPSA,
fees,
levies,
charges,
license
fees
and
all
applicable
taxes
are
excluded.
Delivery
and
destination
charge
includes
freight,
P.D.E.,
dealer
admin
fees
and
a
full
tank
of
gas.
Lease
based
on
20,000km
per
year;
$0.25
per
excess
kilometre.
Offers
available
for
a
limited
time
and
♦
Registration, insurance, PPSA, fees, levies, charges, license fees and all applicable taxes are excluded. Price for model shown: 2013 Genesis 5.0L GDI R-Spec is $55,259 and includes Delivery and Destination charge of $1,760. Registration, insurance, PPSA, fees, levies, charges, license
subject
or cancellation
without notice.
See dealerBlack
for complete
Dealer
mayAward
sell forwinner
less. Inventory
dealer
orderonmay
required.from
Selling
priceMSRP
shown:for2013
Sedanvehicles
3.8L GDI
is $41,759.bySelling
price
includes
and Destination chargeforofcomplete
$1,760.
‡
2013 Canadian
Book Bestdetails.
Retained
Value
– Full-sizeisCarlimited,
category.
Based
valueberetained
original
2009Genesis
model year
as published
CBB, as
of 1shown
January
2013. Delivery
See CanadianBlackBook.com
fees andtoallchange
applicable
taxes are excluded.
♦
shown: 2013
GDImaintenance
R-Spec is $55,259
and includes
Delivery and
Registration,
insurance,
PPSA, fees,Limited
levies, charges,
feescovers
and allmost
applicable
are excluded.
Comprehensive
Warrantylicense
coverage
vehicle taxes
components
against Price
defectsforinmodel
workmanship
underGenesis
normal 5.0L
use and
conditions.
*Using Premium
Fuel.Destination charge of $1,760. Registration, insurance, PPSA, fees, levies, charges, license
details. ††Hyundai’s
fees and all applicable taxes are excluded. ‡2013 Canadian Black Book Best Retained Value Award winner – Full-size Car category. Based on value retained from original MSRP for 2009 model year vehicles as published by CBB, as of 1 January 2013. See CanadianBlackBook.com for complete
††
details. Hyundai’s Comprehensive Limited Warranty coverage covers most vehicle components against defects in workmanship under normal use and maintenance conditions. *Using Premium Fuel.

• IN THE KITCHEN •

Spot
On

The Auld Spot serves
homemade food with
high-end ingredients

S

ince the inauguration of The Auld Spot
on the Danforth more than 15 years ago,
it’s gone from an authentic Scottish pub,
to one that is breaking all the rules of classic pub
fare for owner Nathan Hynes and Chef John
Cunningham.
GoodLife: Can you tell me about your food
philosophy?
Nathan Hynes: We took over the space in 2005
and it was a Scottish pub...which was pretty
cool, but I just wanted to make it not have any
rules about what kind of food we were going to
have. So it’s less of a theme. We just wanted to
make homemade food with really high-end ingredients. With the specials we try to do stuff
that normally you would get in a fine dining
restaurant, but you could have it here with the
same ingredients, but at a more reasonable price
in a more casual environment.
GoodLife: Are there any crowd favourites
on the menu?
Nathan Hynes: Our poutine is very popular
here. We have a very simple kind of classic poutine, but we use local organic cheese curds. We
make our own gravy. Our fries are very impor16 | Goodlife Beaches - December 2013 - January 2014

tant to us. Everything starts with the french fry
here because we do hand-cut fries. We chase
potatoes around all year to make sure we have
the best potato. If we have the perfect french fry,
everything else kind of follows.
John Cunningham: Especially with a dish as
popular as poutine. Just the perfect crunchy fry.
If they don’t get it, they’re not happy.
Nathan Hynes: Yeah, crunchy, fluffy, good french
fry. It used to be more difficult, it’s getting easier
now because we’ve mastered our technique over
the years. The quality of the potatoes we’re able
to get is getting better. We seem to spend our
year chasing perfect potatoes around the world.
And now we have an Irish chef so it’s perfect.
Oysters are a big thing for us, we always do fresh
shucked oysters. There’s nowhere really on the
Danforth that does them or on this side of town
really. We get them from Rodney’s Oysters. We
have a really good relationship with those guys.
We always have two kinds of oysters, one east,
one west, and on Tuesdays we have half-priced
oyster night where we do $1.50 oysters.
GoodLife: How much of your food is made
in-house and how much do you get locally?
Nathan Hynes: All of our food is made in-house,

Chef John Cunningham, left, and owner
Nathan Hynes of The Auld Spot on the Danforth.

BY REBECCA FIELD
Photography by Nick perry
we make everything from scratch. The only thing
we don’t do in-house is we don’t bake our own
bread – yet. We will be. The onion rings, only
out of necessity, because we have a very small
kitchen and we only have two fryers. To make
homemade onion rings on the scale that we do
here would just be impossible because we just
couldn’t cook anything else in there. So that’s
the one thing that we buckle on, but that could
change as well.
GoodLife: You’re planning on baking
bread here soon?
Nathan Hynes: We’re just toying around, John’s
background is a baking background.
John Cunningham: I’ve done everything from
bakery to butchery, so we want to try to get as
much of it as we can in-house and do our own
butchery, do our own sausages, do everything.
And then you have a much better product for
the customer to have. Our clientele have really
seen that.
Nathan Hynes: We do a lot of R and D here.

>>

• IN THE KITCHEN •

The casual interior of The Auld Spot
on the Danforth.

>> We don’t just take a recipe out of a book and
cook it, we really try to invent our own styles
of food.

GoodLife: What kind of atmosphere can
people expect when they come into The
Auld Spot?
Nathan Hynes: Our servers have all worked here
for a long time and they all treat everybody like
they’re friends. Everybody gets treated like a regular. You’re always going to have interesting and
adventurous specials. Really good homemade
food, interesting ever-changing wine list, good
selection of Ontario craft beer, lots of interesting
whiskey, bourbon, scotch. It gets loud in here.
The music’s loud, people talk loud, it’s fun.
It seems like no matter where you are in town, or
not in town, you’re always running into somebody. Everybody seems to know this place. It’s
been here for a long time, too. It just seems like
one of those places, like everyone’s been here
even if they’re living on the other side of town.
GoodLife: How does The Auld Spot fit into
the Danforth and Riverdale area?

Nathan Hynes: This neighbourhood is very supportive of one another. We all go to each other’s
restaurants. We all hang out together. We all
recommend each other’s places. It’s very communal here. We’re like a family. We all look
out for each other. We all want each other to
do well. The more restaurants we have in the
area that are doing well, the better it is because it
becomes a restaurant destination. The Danforth
is like a small town within the city. It feels like
you live in a small town even though the only
thing separating you from downtown is the Don
Valley, so you really get that feeling around here.
And people who live in this area eat in this area.
The community supports the restaurants here. I
think that’s why it’s done so well for so long.
John Cunningham: I think it is the whole community feel here. It kind of transfers from community into all the restaurants and everyone
fits in together. GL
The Auld Spot is at 347 Danforth
Ave. Call 416-406-4688, or visit
www.auldsport.ca

Top, a traditional British dish of bangers and
mash. Middle, a seared tuna burger. Above,
The Auld Spot offers two kinds of fresh
shucked oysters, one from the East Coast
and one from the West.

Coat bell peppers with
a light layer of vegetable oil. Rotate peppers over open flame, either on a
barbecue or gas stove, until peppers turn black and
blister. If an open flame isn’t available, a broiler can
be used. Slice peppers in half and remove the core,
seeds and membrane. On a broiler plate, place
peppers open side down and broil until skins are
black and blistered. Cover peppers in a bowl and
allow to rest 15 minutes. Peel off the black skin.

In a large sauce pan, melt the butter over medium heat, then add garlic and onions. Saute for
five minutes.
Stir in the stock, carrot, roasted Ontario greenhouse yellow bell peppers and jalapeno pepper.
Crumble in saffron. Bring stock to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer. Cover for 20 minutes or
until vegetables are tender.
Puree in food processor until mixture is
smooth. Strain, add cream and season to taste.
Serve immediately with sprigs of cilantro.
Serves four.
Chef’s trick: To obtain an even colour with saffron,
soak the threads in hot liquid for 15 minutes before adding another ingredient.
Recipe courtesy of Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers

con actually gets crispier when cooked in some
oil), stirring occasionally.
When bacon is crisp, add onions, garlic and
fennel if using, and sweat, stirring occasionally
until soft.
Add Brussels sprouts and a large pinch of salt.
Turn heat up to medium and cover for about 30
seconds.
Stir sprouts, when they are a bright green,
turn heat up to high and add wine.
When wine has reduced, add cream (sprouts
do not need to be fully cooked at this point because they will finish cooking in the oven), add
salt and pepper to taste keeping in mind the
cheese is salty.
Let cream reduce by a 1/4, then remove from
heat and cool slightly.
Add chopped herbs and some of the cheese
(keep some cheese for sprinkling on top before
baking).
Transfer to a casserole dish, sprinkle remain-

ing cheese on top. You can do it up to this point
a day or even two in advance. If you are serving
it right away place in a 350 F oven uncovered,
until cheese starts to brown.
If you are baking it from cold, wrap in foil
and put in a 325 F oven for 10 to 15 minutes,
then turn oven to 350 F, uncover, and bake until
cheese browns
Note: In December when Ontario Brussels
sprouts are no longer available, you can substitute green cabbage.
Recipe courtesy of Chef Tawfik Shehata

• RECIPES •

COZY UP
to

cocoa

classic hot
cocoa

homemade hot
cocoa mix

1/2 cup sugar

Makes 22 servings using
1/3 cup mix or 30 servings using 1/4 cup mix

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
powder

4 cups non-fat dry milk
powder

1/8 tsp salt

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/3 cup half and half cream
4 cups whole milk

1 cup non-dairy powdered
coffee creamer

whipped cream or mini
marshmallows

2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
powder

Makes 5 servings

In medium saucepan, whisk
together sugar, cocoa and salt
until blended. Then whisk in
the half and half.
Cook over medium heat,
stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil.
Simmer one to two minutes, stirring constantly. Add
milk; stirring constantly, heat
until warm. Do not boil.
Remove cocoa from heat;
whisk or beat until frothy.
Pour into mugs and top with
whipped cream or marshmallows.
Recipe courtesy of Laura Powell,
www.realmomkitchen.com

1 (4 oz) package instant
chocolate pudding
Place all of the above ingredients together in a large
bowl. Whisk together until
well combined.
Store in an airtight container.
To prepare a cup of hot
cocoa: add 1/4 to 1/3 cup of
mix (I like 1/3 cup) to eight
ounces of hot water. Stir until
blended.
Note: Different flavours of
non-dairy powdered coffee
creamers can be used to make
a gourmet flavoured version.
Recipe courtesy of Laura Powell,
www.realmomkitchen.com

mayan fire
truffle shot
Serves 2 to 4
This is an amazing, rich
chocolate drink with many different layers. Rich and smooth,
with a spicy kick at the end, it
will take your tastebuds on an
unforgettable journey!
300 to 325 ml hot water
3 tbsp plus 1 tsp extra virgin
coconut oil

2

FREE
ClassEs

including a FREE Uniform!

3 tbsp plus 1 tsp Organic
Fair Trade raw cacao powder
(raw, untreated cocoa)
3 tbsp plus 1 tsp agave
nectar
generous pinch ground
allspice
generous pinch ground chili
1/2 tsp Organic orange zest
Place all ingredients into
a blender, and pour the hot
water on top. Carefully blend,
with the blender small cap
slightly open/tilted (to allow
for hot steam to escape).
Blend on a slow speed, increasing speed for about 30
seconds. Make sure the main
lid is secure. To avoid chocolate explosions, I like to place
a towel on top, while holding
the lid down firmly.
Recipe courtesy of
www.LiveOnChocolate.ca

Are you unhappy with your
child’s performance this year?
Give Metropolitan Preparatory
Academy a call.

Enjoy life’s
hidden pleasures...
You want to enjoy every minute of life with friends
and family. But if you have hearing loss, you may
feel disconnected from activities that you enjoy, like
golf. It’s time to bring back the sounds of the course.
Talk to a Hearing Care Professional at Hearing Works
who understands your hearing loss. Through one-onone care, we will help you get to where you want to
be–confident and comfortable in any environment.
We can help you make an informed decision on the
choices you have, and reconnect you with the little
pleasures of life you may be missing.

We know educators with the right
attitude can profoundly impact a
student's entire life. If your child isn't
being encouraged and challenged
at his or her current school, make
an appointment to speak with us.

416-285-0870 | www.MetroPrep.com
49 Mobile Drive, Toronto

• SHOPPING •

1

2

spree

studded
sensations
BY erin lukas

1

Take a walk on the wild side by carrying this satchel by popular
footwear designer Christian Louboutin, known for his exquisite
red-soled heels. Gold studs over leopard-print calf hair will not go unnoticed in a sea of black bags. Spiked Leopard-Print Satchel Bag,
$2,395 at Holt Renfrew. holtrenfrew.com

7

3

2

Stack this silver bangle by Eddie Borgo or wear it alone
to add some attitude to your favourite outfits. As one of the
designer’s signature pieces, the bracelet is adored by trendsetters and
jewelry lovers alike. Bangle, $510 at Holt Renfrew. holtrenfrew.com
Stand out in a far-from-average pencil skirt. The metal eyelet
grommets on this soft leather skirt by Burberry give the timeless ladylike silhouette a total refresh and is a sophisticated way to
channel your inner punk. Leather Eyelet Skirt, $3,595 at Burberry,
ca.burberry.com

3

4

6

5

Kids can channel their inner rock star with a studded graphic
top like this long-sleeve navy shirt by Ralph Lauren Childrenswear. Metallic accents on the punk-inspired motif provide a youthful
take on one of this season’s biggest trends. Long-sleeve jersey top,
$40 at The Bay. thebay.com

5

Leave your baggage at home and keep your essentials close in
a stylish pouch by the Canadian-based design duo behind Ela.
Pyramid studs toughen up blush leather to add an element of cool
to your wardrobe. Editor’s Pouch in Vintage Pink Stud, $218 at
eLuxe. eluxe.ca

4

6

A tried and true men’s footwear classic, the leather loafer gets
an edgy update by way of allover gold studs and matching hardware. Pair these statement shoes by Gucci with casual weekend outfits
or if you’re daring, your best business wear. The 1953 Horsebit
Loafer, $895 at Holt Renfrew. holtrenfrew.com
Instead of playing it safe in run-of-the-mill basic sweaters,
upgrade your cool weather staples with subtle studs. This crewneck Topshop jumper is trendy, yet refined enough to wear to work
or in the evening. Knitted embellished jumper, $76 at Topshop at
Hudson’s Bay. thebay.com

“We are currently one of
the only stores in Toronto
that are embracing Sony’s
4K technology for TV, which
is the way of the future for
television.”
When it comes to home electronics, Sony is a
leader in creativity, innovation and design— and
as a dealer of new, exciting, never-before-seen
products, Update TV & Stereo knows a good
brand when it sees one.
“Anything that is changing and evolving in
technology, we are embracing it,” says Stacey
Sniderman, Vice President of Update TV & Stereo.
“We’ve dealt Sony products since we opened
21 years ago, starting with their CD player. Their
products have evolved into higher end, top-ofthe-line, and today we sell Sony as lifestyle electronics for our clients.”
Update TV & Stereo is on the cutting edge of
technology, offering a 2,000 sq.ft. showroom
dedicated to the future of home electronics.
“We are currently one of the only stores in

Toronto that are embracing Sony’s 4K technology for TV, which is the way of the future for
television,” says Sniderman. “4K format is not
yet supported by cable providers – but it will
be in a few years – which is why it’s beneficial to
upscale to 4K when looking to upgrade yourTV
or projector.”
Sniderman calls it “future proofing.”
With four times the resolution of regular TV,
Sony’s 4K TV is ultra HD—and it’s creating a lot
of buzz. Proudly displayed in the showroom,
the TV shows the impeccable upgrade in display clarity thanks to the latest Reality Creation
database and Super Resolution processing—
as is the case with the Sony 4K projector.
“We are also one of the first retailers to sell the
Sony 4K projector in North America,” says Sniderman. “Many people think you can’t get the same
picture quality from a projector as you can a TV,
but with Sony, the projectors traditionally have
a film-like quality, as opposed to something that
looks computer animated.”
Another first is Sony’s curved LED TV. The only
one of its kind, Update TV & Stereo is the first
showroom in Toronto to have it on display.
“A lot of retailers shy away from displaying it on
the floor due to the slight premium in cost that
comes with the unique curvature feature,” says
Sniderman. “But we want to give our customers
the whole experience.”

The screen is curved to give viewers a very immersed, realistic experience with a great field of
depth. With four speakers built into the sides and
virtually no glare, it offers a true theatre experience like no other.
“The experience is beyond watching TV, it’s
like you’re there.”
But what is picture quality without superior
sound? A leader in sound for many years, Sony
is bringing TV and movies to life with its sound
bar while maintaining a sleek, modern design—
discretely displayed in your media room. Sony’s
sound bar is a true 7.1 and has a built in receiver
which can be placed between a mantel and TV
and includes a wireless sub woofer.
“Sony is the best when it comes to digital
sound creation,” assures Sniderman.“We tested it
against other units that are true surround sound,
and they came out on top.”
As a full-service home AV and solutions company, UpdateTV & Stereo takes care of everything
from providing the products to pre-installation of
home entertainment and smart-home technology, to post calibration.
“We set up entire homes with a free consultation to the schematics and optimization,” says
Sniderman. “We are THX system certified, and
can bring our own crew to pull wires in a new
home before we install.”
With smart-home AV technology being
top priority in new home builds and renovations, Update TV & Stereo recommends Sony
ES receivers.
“The receiver is Control4 certified and is the
first AV receiver with built in home automation,”
says Sniderman. “It has stunning 4K audio video
quality, and allows you to stream music and video with easy home control capability.”
Update TV & Stereo is dedicated to improving the lifestyle at home with the best in home
entertainment solutions. Sony’s Xperia Tablet is
a universal infrared remote with one-touch connectivity with NFC. It allows you to control theTV,
radio, DVR boxes and much more with a few taps.
The world’s thinnest 0.1 inch tablet is water and
dust resistance allowing you to take it anywhere
from the living room to the pool side.
“Whatever your lifestyle in the home, we
want to enhance it and offer the best home entertainment experience possible,” says Sniderman.“And that involves Sony’s innovative home
entertainment products. Come and have a look
for yourself.”

255 BASS PRO MILLS DR.

AVAILABLE AT

UPDATE TV & STEREO

SONY XBR 4K ULTRA HDTV
55”/65”

SONY HTST7 HD SOUND BAR WITH WIRELESS SUBWOOFER

SONY CONTROL4
ES RECEIVER

SONY 4K PROJECTOR

SONY XPERIA TABLET Z
16GB/32GB

SONY CURVED LED HDTV
65”

S T O R E . S O N Y. C A
GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 23

• PORTFOLIO •

B

y this time of
year, Julie Sinden
is running a tight
ship.
Orders for homemade hats and scarves were taken in the early
fall, and in November she’s ready to send them
off to their new homes in time for the holidays.
Once they are off, Sinden, of Julie Sinden
Handmade, will be on the road for five weeks
participating in craft shows in Vancouver, Ottawa, Toronto and Picton.
“It’s game on right now,” Sinden says.
Sinden’s line of functional and fashionable
winter wear includes scarves, eight styles of hats,
two of which are unisex, which she describes as
“vintage modern.”
“The shape and the style has a bit of a 1920s
kind of feel, without being too costume-y,” Sinden says.
All of her hats are made of 100 per cent merino-boiled wool and created by felting (shrinking) the hats in hot water.
It’s a process that sees the hat transform from
large and knitted to a shrunken version of itself
24 | Goodlife Beaches - December 2013 - January 2014

BY Hilary Caton
Photography by nick perry

ARTISTprofile
Julie Sinden
that’s almost unrecognizable.
“It’s just like when you accidentally shrink
your wool sweaters, except I’m doing it on purpose. It shrinks so much it becomes thick and
dense,” Sinden says.
“It’s a controlled process. It’s a very annoying
feature of wool when you don’t want it to happen, but a very cool feature if that’s what you’re
going for. They’re a great solid winter hat that
keeps you really, really warm.”
Sinden first got into the hat-making business
six years ago when she took part in a studio tour
in her hometown of Port Dover, near Brantford,
ON, after she graduated from the textile program at Kootnenay School of the Arts in Nelson,
B.C. She was still working with merino wool and
made woven baby blankets, small upholstery

items, purses and hats.
“I had about 10 hats and they just went like
that in about the first hour,” she says, snapping
her fingers. “It was the perfect time of year.
“So I was like, OK, maybe I’ll keep doing that.
I guess I stumbled into the actual hat part of
it.”
From there, Sinden did a variety of small craft
shows while waitressing full time. She continued
making her hats, using the tips she made to buy
more wool.
Then one day she decided to become a vendor at the One of a Kind Show.
“I was basically sold out after the first five
days (of the show) and it’s 11 days long!” Sinden says.
“I took orders, and spent the next few weeks
making them. After that show I quit waitressing
and did that full time.”
Six years later, Sinden has an online store as
well as three part-time knitters to help her with
the busy fall seasons, and her products can be
found across Canada and in some parts of the
United States thanks to wholesale buyers. But
even with a booming business, a bricks >>

• PORTFOLIO•

line, once the baby arrives and she and her husband have settled into a new routine.
She says she is also exploring the possibility of
home décor items.
“It is such an amazing fabric and you can do
so much with it.”
Sinden would like to create small house items
such as ottomans, chairs and throws, all made
out of the same merino wool. But could there be
baby line in the future as well?
“I don’t think so, they’re more cotton creatures,” Sinden says.“But I have been making
little sweaters and blankets in preparation.” GL

and mortar establishment isn’t in her future
– she’s expecting a baby Christmas Eve and she
says things will need to change.
Plus, she enjoys the freedom she has now and
is just looking to increase online business.
“It’s a lot of work (a bricks and mortar store)
and you’re really committed to it and because
of the seasonal nature of my product, it doesn’t
really make sense,” says Sinden.
“Plus I get to spend the summer in (my) home
town and work from there. If you have a store,
you can’t do stuff like that.”
But Sinden is thinking about expanding her

>>

Opposite page, Sinden wears a ribbon hat.
Above, from left, a turban hat, a fur hat and
a flower cloche.

To view more of Julie Sinden’s
creations, visit www.juliesinden.com

Nisbet Lodge and McClintock Manor celebrating 60 years of providing care
and services to the seniors and their families in east Toronto

Nisbet Lodge Long

McClintock Manor

Term Care Home

Independent Seniors’

• 103 beds
• 24/7 nursing care
• Physiotherapy

Celebrating

40 years

Apartments
• 62 units
• Private balconies

Celebrating

20 years

• Pastoral care

• Large storage area in each unit

• Social & recreational activities

• Cable T.V. ready

• Elegant upper floor dining

• Carpeting in living and bedroom

room with Panoramic city views
• Rooftop garden

• 2 tenant lounges
• 4 patio gardens

416-469-1105 www.nisbetlodge.com
740 Pape Avenue (opposite Pape Subway)
Check us out at www.nisbetlodge.com. For a tour contact Barbara Snell
at 416-469-1105 or email her at assistant@nisbetlodge.com

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 25

• WINE •

tried and true
Everyone needs a few house wines to warm the
heart and get you through the work week.
Not to mention the long painful winter
ahead.
These are not weekend wow wines to curl
your toes. Alas, those generally cost a bit
more. We will mention a few luxury level ones

once the snow hits and you truly need salvation and escape.
Here are my winners for sheer value from
around 50 wines tasted recently from the massive 2,000-plus wines widely available on the
LCBO’s “General List.”
Enjoy.

estled inside our warm homes, beers
with enough body to warm you to
the bone await at the LCBO.
Another great collection of Ontario craft beers
arrived including the bold and hoppy Plowman’s
Ale (Grand River Brewing, Cambridge) with its
five kinds of hops and chocolate, toffee, molasses sweetness. (3 out of
5). Black Oak Oaktoberfest (Black Oak Brewing Co., Toronto) is creamy
smooth with a silk mouthfeel, which works nicely with the malty, oaken
notes. (3 out of 5).

The head on the Bolshevik Bastard Russian
Imperial Stout (Better Bitters Brewing Co.,
Burlington) quickly recedes leaving behind a
lovely taste of roasted malts, dark chocolate and
bitter coffee. The cloudy, pale golden colour of
the Kissmeyer Nordic Pale Ale (Beau’s All Natural
Brewing, Vankleek Hill) is augmented nicely with botanicals such as
rose hips and dried heather flowers that are quite apparent in the floral
aroma. (3 out of 5).
All that said, there were a few noticeable standouts:

It’s no surprise Mill St.
Brewery’s Vanilla Porter is a
cult classic at the Brewpub.
This English-style dark ale
greets the glass with caramel malt and continues to
fascinate with its dark amber colour. It pours with a
tight thick head, is smooth
from the first sip and remains that way with its
pure vanilla extract adding a warm, captivating
flavour. There’s also a hint
of chocolate, which mixes
well with the spicy aromas
of dried fruit.

Russian
Gun
Imperial
Stout pours with a noticeable thickness and offers a
slight, dark tan head atop
the opaque near-black liquid. The flavours – primarily dark chocolate and molasses with a hint of coffee
– are distinct but not overpowering. The brew offers
a roasted malty bitterness
with some staying power.
It’s thickness remains in the
mouthfeel, with the stout
highly drinkable, but also
heavy and filling. It’s definitely a solid beer for earlywinter, with richness and
its 8.5% alcohol content
making it a beverage to be
savoured.

Age has been very kind to
this bottle of 2011 vintage
Stout from Bracebridge’s
Muskoka Brewery. The
dark black, nearly opaque,
beer has a subtle but very
pleasant aroma. It smells
of dried fruit and dark
malt. The thick creamy
head has lasting power.
Cranberry and chocolate
are obviously present in
the flavour. It’s well balanced between bitter and
sweet, with just a hint of
tartness in the aftertaste.
This beer is perfect for
chillier temperatures.

The beer is a cloudy, pale
golden colour with a slight
orange hue. The off-white
head is thick and frothy, with
a layer of foam lacing the
glass from top to bottom
as you enjoy the beer. The
aroma is pine and citrus classic markers of North
American hops. Malt flavours don’t stand out, but
it has enough sweetness to
back up the strong bitterness. Bitter is the key word
in describing an IPA and
this beer is no exception.
The bite isn’t overly harsh
though and if you enjoy the
style, you’re in for a treat.

Mill Street Brewery’s Weizenbock hits you up front
on the nose with the
sweetness of bubble gum
and banana, backed up by
subtle notes of clove and
cinnamon. This unfiltered
beer is hazy from the high
wheat content and residual yeast. It’s hazelnut
in colour with a frothy offwhite head that settles to a
thin ring around the edge
of the glass. The use of
wheat also adds a distinct
silkiness to the mouthfeel.
Definitely not a dry beer;
the sweetness is matched
with some warming character from the alcohol.

Offering expert tailoring on site with free estimates
• Sewing machine repairs to all brands done on site
• Learn to sew like a PRO! Register today
with certified instructors. Many levels to
choose from including private and kids
classes
• Register online at www.learntosew.ca
• High quality sewing machines like a
HEAVY DUTY
from
$
$
198 reg. 329
• All Janome sewing machines have the
lowest price tag
• Every purchase comes with
free private lessons
• All machines come with a
17 year warranty
• Sews through denim to silk without
trouble
Give that special someone the
gift of creativity with
The largest manufacturer of
sewing machines in the world

Give your loved one a 4-thread
serger from

396

$

Reg.

829

$

‘Tis the season to sew! Sale runs
for the month of December
While Quantities Last

Shopper’s World • Danforth Mall • 3003 Danforth Ave. •

416.699.7119

www.sewingmachine.ca • Open 7 days a week until 8pm
Bring in this ad to the sewing machine clinic to receive $15 off
any major tune-up for your Sewing or Serger Machine

• SHOPPING •



FESTIVE
FLAIR

Give your
guests a glittering entrance
with this set
of outdoor
ornaments
from Pottery
Barn. Available
in a set of
three, each
uniquely shaped
ornament is lit
from within
and brushed
with an antique
mercury finish for
the prettiest glow.
Lit Mercury Glass
Outdoor Ornaments, $89
for a set of three at Pottery
Barn. potterybarn.com

BY ERIN LUKAS

spree


 Add a touch of elegance to your Holiday
trimming with pre-lit garland from Pier 1
Imports. Adorned with warm gold beads
and sparkling ornaments of various sizes,
hang it on your staircase or doorway for a
sophisticated touch that’s still warm and
welcoming. Pre-Lit Garland in Gold,
$69.95 at Pier 1 Imports, pier1.ca





Liven up your holiday display with a
sophisticated reindeer from Pottery
Barn. This cast aluminum statue
with a bronze finish of the popular
fabled animal is a regal way to greet
visitors at your doorway throughout
the season. Bronze Reindeer,
$300 at Pottery Barn. potterybarn.
com

Dress up your front door with
a wreath from HomeSense
that’s traditional with
a twist. Although it
may be garnished
with classic
Holiday favourites like berries
and pinecones,
the addition of
wood antlers
make this wreath
standout from the
rest. Berry and
Pinecone Wreath with
Wood Antler Detail (24’),
$39.99 at HomeSense. homesense.ca

Fake a fresh snowfall to really get in the
Holiday spirit with this frosted topiary and
wreath from Canadian Tire. Conveniently prelit and battery operated for endless placement
possibilities, the two pieces in this matching
set make decorating easy. Pre-lit Topiary
with Battery Operated Wreath, $124.99
at Canadian Tire. canadiantire.ca
GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 31

• AT HOME •

A Fresh Start
mother and teen daughter both benefit
from open and airy renovation

T

he cottage aesthetic in an urban setting
isn’t a novel concept when looking into
the homes of Toronto’s Beach neighbourhood.
In the case of one home in particular, arts and
crafts detailing and a connection with nature is
present throughout the open concept kitchen,
designed by interior designer Shelley Kirsch.
Looking for a fresh start after a divorce, Alex
Newman commissioned her friend of almost 20
years to convert the compartmentalized, closedoff living space into an open and airy haven –
a place where her teenage daughter would feel
comfortable hanging out.
“I love her work, and she said you know it’s
time you did something for yourself and got rid
32 | Goodlife Beaches - December 2013 - January 2014

of that old life,” says Newman, a freelance writer
who met Kirsch while writing a story on a Victorian farm house Kirsch had designed in 1995.
“I wanted to make sure that (my daughter)
had a nice place that was open concept that she
would bring her friends,” says Newman who
said her daughter, Anna, continually fought
against the more outrageous details Kirsch suggested, but came around in the end.
“So we got it, and now she spends most of
her time roaming the streets with her friends,”
she laughs.
The renovations were finished on time and
without any real difficulties – something she
gives credit to Kirsch as a professional for knowing all of the contractors, and pushing her into

BY REBECCA FIELD
Photography by dan pearcE
choosing certain details that she wouldn’t have
thought of herself – including levelling off the
floor and vaulting the ceiling at the back of the
house.
“The feeling of the house is obvious,” said
Kirsch, sitting at the long, low-maintenance,
quartz island. “To pretend that the house is different would be a mistake.”
Kirsch’s design connects the kitchen to the
backyard through floor-to-ceiling windows and
French doors shaded by a large maple tree.
Through the glass, a couple of cats hang >>

•AT HOME •

Homeowner Alex Newman sits in her newly renovated open and airy kitchen, designed by Shelley Kirsch.
>> out in a cat enclosure. and French doors
shaded by a large maple tree. Through the
glass, a couple of cats hang out in a cat enclosure. The pale greenish hues present in the door
framing, wall colour, and kitchen backsplash
bring the outdoors in – lengthening the feel of
the space.
“The potential for the backyard was not being exploited, and we so much wanted to bring
light into the house,” says Kirsch.
“When you use these kinds of seafoamcoloured glass and you use a light colour floor,
it’s not jarring at all.”
The eclectic feel of the room continues with
the cabinetry, built with two different materials – painted lacquer and a stained oak base
cabinet. The laminate countertop has a wood
edge lining to dress it up against the opposing quartz. A strip of oak covers the hanging
bulkhead in the middle of the room, bordered
in copper with copper nailheads, tying in the
look with the oak cabinetry, giving the room
a lofty feel.
Kirsch kept a big oak dining table New-

‘The colours, the textures;
they’re sort of tipping their
hat to something that is
of a different era.’
– Shelley Kirsch
man already had in the home and added cedar
shakes onto the side of the house, visible from
the kitchen and the sitting area in the corner
of the room.
“Even the detailing extended to the outside,” said Kirsch. “It’s these kinds of things
that blend very well with the outside. These
tones of green brings all of the foliage in.”
Kirsch’s design further respects the cottage
and arts and crafts motifs through her use of
Newman’s collection of vintage knick-knacks.
The walls are lined with paintings done by
Newman’s great aunts and uncles, which were
reframed and hung by a local framer.
“The fact that Alex’s family did this artwork
– they’re wonderful. They also suit the vintage

of the house,” says Kirsch. The paintings are
from around the same time that the house was
built in 1927.
With respect to Kirsch’s attention to detail,
hanging underneath the room’s original crown
moulding is a collection of vintage Beaches Lions Club plates brought home by Newman’s
grandfather from all over the United States. He
was president of the Lion’s club in the 1920s.
“These were novelty souvenir plates that
were prepared for these kinds of general meetings, but they have a lot of iconic interest for
me,” says Kirsch, respecting the proximity of
the house to the Beaches Lions Club and the
history of the neighbourhood.
Near the plates you can see Victorian tin on
the side of the fridge, adding a contemporary
feel to the vintage detailing of the kitchen.
“The colours, the textures – they’re sort of
tipping their hat to something that is of a different era,” said Kirsch.
“But at the same time, it’s very contemporary. Ten years from now, you’ll walk into this
kitchen and there’ll be nothing about it >>
GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 33

• AT HOME •

>> updated powder room at the back of the
house.
“It wasn’t providing for the function that it
was intended for,” says Kirsch, who added a
new sink and vanity, along with heated floors
and a window.
The sitting area, which was intended as a
place for Newman to wind down after dinner
and get some work done, has also been taken
over by Anna and her friends.
“Alex imagined that her daughter would be
in the TV room, so she wanted to have a separate area where she could sit and read. She’s
taken over the whole space. It’s fair game for
everybody,” says Kirsch.
“People will use the benefits of the renovation,” she says. “Why are you going through
this if it’s not going to improve family life?”
After Newman and Anna spent a winter
secluded upstairs during the renovations,
they’re now taking advantage of the space that
was built just for them. GL

See more designs by Shelley Kirsch at
www.shelleykirsch.com

The sitting area next to the kitchen is a popular hangout for Newman and her daughter, Anna.

THE BESTSELLING 2014 LINEUP
JAPANESE ENGINEERED VEHICLES STANDARD WITH

Top Safety Pick: 2012 Subaru Lineup.
Subaru is the only manufacturer with IIHS Top Safety
Picks for all models, for the third year in a row.

Best Mainstream
Brand

All prices include freight and fees. Excludes HST and licensing.

416-461-0775
601 Eastern Avenue,
Toronto

Visit www.subarudowntown.com

▲ Ratings of “Good” are the highest rating awarded for performance in five safety tests (moderate overlap front, small overlap front, side, rollover and rear) conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) (www.iihs.org). To earn

a 2013 TOP SAFETY PICK+, a vehicle must receive a “Good” rating in at least four of the five tests and a “Good” or “Acceptable” rating in the fifth test. *MSRP of $28,495/$23,495/$25,995 on 2014 Outback 2.5i Convenience Package (ED1
CP)/2014 Legacy 2.5i (EA1 BP)/2014 Forester 2.5i (EJ1 X0). Advertised pricing consists of MSRP plus charges for Freight/PDI ($1,650 on 2014 Outback and 2014 Forester; $1,595 on 2014 Legacy), Air Tax ($100), Tire Stewardship Levy ($29.20),
OMVIC Fee ($5), Dealer Admin ($199). Freight/PDI charge includes a full tank of gas. Taxes, license, registration and insurance are extra. $0 security deposit. Models shown: 2014 Outback 3.6R Limited Package (ED2 LN6) with an MSRP of
$38,495. 2014 Legacy 2.5i Limited Package (EA2 LN) with an MSRP of $32,495. 2014 Forester 2.5i Limited Package (EJ2 LP) with an MSRP of $33,295. Dealers may sell or lease for less or may have to order or trade. Offers applicable on approved
credit at participating dealers only. Vehicles shown solely for purposes of illustration, and may not be equipped exactly as shown. See your local Subaru dealer for complete program details.

• CALENDAR •

december

& january

What’s happeNING IN THE COMMUNITIES OF BEACH, LESLIEVILLE, BEACH HILL AND DANFORTH

who find little comfort at this
time of year.
DEC. 4, 11 & 18
Craft Connections
Gerrard/Ashdale library, 1432
Gerrard St. E., 2 to 3 p.m.
Call: 416-393-7717
An afternoon gathering for
adult crafters. Learn a craft,
teach a craft and create personal and community projects
in a friendly casual setting.
DEC. 5
Christkindl Market
Community Centre 55, 97
Main St., 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Call: Evonne, 416-691-1113,
ext. 222
Cost: $70
Community Centre 55 hosts a
trip to the Christkindl Market
in Kitchener, a traditional
German seasonal market,
followed by lunch and a tour
of the MacDonald Stewart Art
Centre.
DEC. 5
Holiday Origami for Adults
Queen/Saulter library, 765
Queen St. E., 4 to 5 p.m.
Call: 416-393-7723
Make themed origami that
you can use to get into the
spirit of the holiday season.
Materials are provided.
SATURDAYS IN DECEMBER
Adult’s Chess Club
Gerrard/Ashdale library, 1432
Gerrard St. E., 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Call: 416-393-7717
Those 13 and older can enjoy
a casual game of chess.
DEC. 14
Cookie Decorating for Kids
Riverdale library, 370 Broadview Ave., 2 to 3 p.m.

36 | Goodlife Beaches - December 2013 - January 2014

File photo/PETER C. MCCUSKER

DEC. 10
Carolling in the Park
Glen Stewart Park, just south
of the wooden bridge at the
park, which is on Glen Manor
Drive, just north of Queen
Street East, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Call: David Breech at 416-7599997
Featuring traditional Christmas carols and contemporary
holiday-themed songs with
accompaniment by the Salvation Army band. Song sheets
will be available. Hot apple
cider and hot chocolate will
be served and donations to
the Sally Ann appreciated.
Santa Claus will hand out
candy canes.

Dave ‘Nacho’ Emilio, centre, heads out at the start of the annual Hair of the Dog
run and walk at the Balmy Beach Club Jan. 1, 2013. The event brought out some
100 participants willing to get the blood flowing following their New Year’s Eve
celebrations.

foot of Beech Avenue, 10:30
a.m. registration; walkers set
out at 11:30 a.m. and runners
at noon
Cost: various prices
Call: Gaynor, 416-693-1063
Website: www.balmybeachcanoe.com
The annual three- or ninekilometre run and walk starts
and finishes at the club and
offers participants a trafficfree course along the scenic
Boardwalk and Martin Goodman Trail. A hot lunch will be
served to participants following the run.
FEB. 1
Tapestry Songbook
Ernest Balmer Studio, Distillery Historic District, 55 Mill St.,
7:30 p.m.
Cost: $25
Call: 416-537-6066, ext. 225
Website: www.tapestryopera.
com
Tapestry, Canada’s leader in
the development and performance of new opera, features
the next generation of opera
stars who display their virtuosic talent.

• CALENDAR •

out

& about

Toronto has plenty of events, destinations and attractions; here is a sampling of what’s on around town

HARBOURFRONT CENTRE –
NATREL RINK
Behind York Quay Centre and set
against the shore of Lake Ontario,
the city’s most scenic rink awaits.
DJ Skate Nights are Saturdays
from Dec. 17 to Feb. 23 from 8
to 11 p.m. Various DJs. There is
a heated indoor change room
with lockers and washrooms. Hot
food and drinks are available at
the rink-side restaurant. Skating
is free.
235 Queens Quay W. Call 416973-4000. Visit www.harbourfrontcentre.com/venues/natrelrink
ONE OF A KIND
CHRISTMAS SHOW
The One of a Kind Christmas
Show features unique products
from more than 800 artisans
including ceramics, jewelry,
furniture, clothing and accessories. Browse through art galleries,
watch a fashion show, take part
in artistic holiday activities and
participate in workshops.
Now on until Dec. 8 at the Direct
Energy Centre. Call 416-960-3680.
Visit www.oneofakindshow.com/
toronto/index.php
LOWE’S TORONTO
CHRISTMAS MARKET
Experience a traditional Old
World European Christmas
market at The Distillery District
with hundreds of unique and local
handcrafted items. Family-friendly
children’s activities include storytelling, Santa’s Elves Workshop

Photo by Nancy Paiva

BIG at the ROM
The Royal Ontario Museum goes
BIG with Fashion and Textiles in
an exhibition showcasing textiles
and costume that are each in their
own remarkable ways BIG: big in
size, big in historical importance,
big in the news, perhaps created
by a big name, and often carrying
a big price tag. They range from
Egyptian clothing to 18th- and
19th-century Western costumes to
20th-century Haute Couture.
Until Jan. 26 at Royal Ontario
Museum, 100 Queen’s Park, in the
Patricia Harris Gallery of Textiles
and Costume, Level 4. Visit www.
rom.on.ca

Visitors take in the Christmas tree at the Lowe’s Toronto Christmas Market in the Distillery District in 2012. This
year’s event is on until Dec. 15.
and Santa himself.
On until Dec. 15 at the Distillery
Historic District, 55 Mill St. Visit
TorontoChristmasMarket.com

CHRISTMAS AT BLACK CREEK
On December weekends, participants visit with Santa and take
a ride on a horse-drawn wagon.
Black Creek also hosts its annual
Christmas by Lamplight event,
where people can wander the village lit by lanterns, sample traditional foods and create crafts Dec.
7, 14, 21. Dinner is also available.
Visit http://christmasbylamplight.
ca/dinner.shtml to order tickets.
Now on until Dec. 23 at 1000
Murray Ross Pkwy. Call 416-7361733. Visit www.blackcreek.ca/v2/
events/glance.dot

ALADDIN
The Ed Mirvish Theatre hosts the
world premiere of Aladdin, based
on the Disney animated movie
about a boy and his magical lamp.
Now on until Jan. 5 at Ed Mirvish
Theatre, 244 Victoria St. Call 416872-1212. Visit www.mirvish.com/
shows/aladdin for details about
this show.

THE LITTLE MERMAID
Ross Petty’s annual production is
back, and this year features The
Little Mermaid. Taking after the
Hans Christian Andersen tale
more than the popular Disney
movie, this production promises
to be the less common version
of the fairy tale and offers a little
more fun and music.

THE NUTCRACKER
The National Ballet of Canada
presents its annual Christmas
show, The Nutcracker. The show
also includes an interactive telling of the magical holiday story
designed to enhance children’s
experience of the ballet. The story
takes place 45 minutes before
every performance in the Richard
Bradshaw Amphitheatre at the
Four Seasons Centre.
Takes place Dec. 14 to Jan. 4
at the Four Seasons Centre
for the Performing Arts, 145
Queen St. W. Call 416-345-9595.

Visit http://national.ballet.ca/
performances/season1314/The_
Nutcracker/#StoryTime-tab
DISNEY ON ICE:
PRINCESSES AND HEROES
Families of all ages will enter a
world of wonder where heroes
and hearts prevail. Join Ariel,
Maleficent, Prince Eric and others
in this show where believing is just
the beginning.
Dec. 20 to 29 at various times and
prices at Rogers Centre, 1 Blue
Jays Way. Visit www.avcommunications.ca/disneyonice
CHRISTMAS TREATS TREK
Visit the Toronto Zoo on Boxing
Day to see the seasonal treats
animals are enjoying. Bring a nonperishable item for the food bank.
Half price admission for everyone
all day. The zoo also hosts a New
Year’s Eve family countdown with
entertainment and animal visitors
from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 31. Countdown begins at 8 p.m.
Dec. 26 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30
p.m., Toronto Zoo, 361A Old
Finch Ave. Visit www.torontozoo.
com

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 37

• GETAWAYS •

Paris
For Art, history or
shopping, in springtime
or anytime, paris is a
traveller’s paradise
story and photography
By warren cartwright

From every angle,
the Eiffel Tower is
an iconic symbol.
GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 39

• GETAWAYS •

Arrête! C’est ici l’empire
de la Mort (‘Stop! Here lies
the Empire of Death”); the
inscription on the ossuary
entry, as you enter this most
unusual museum.

P

aris in the springtime evokes scenes from
some of Hollywood’s greatest movies and
while the expectations are set high, it is
one of the few places that can live up to the hype.
Paris draws around 27 million visitors each year,
making it by some accounts the third-most visited
city in the world. As the city and its region contain
more than 3,800 historical monuments and four
UNESCO World Heritage Sites, there is no shortage of attractions for visitors to experience.
For many that come, Paris is about the arts,
and some of the world’s greatest collections are
housed within the walls of The Musée du Louvre
(arguably the world’s greatest art collection), The
Musée d’Orsay (Impressionists) and the Dalí Espace Montmartre (for those more Surrealistically
inclined).
Architecture lovers will be drawn to the iconic
Eiffel Tower, the Panthéon and the Arc de Triomphe. And of course one cannot forget the majestic sites of some of Paris’ famed cathedrals, Notre
Dame and Sacre Coeur. And one should check out
the back of both of these magnificent buildings,
rather than just the front where most of the tourists will stay.
For a change of pace, one of the most unique attractions of Paris is underground – Les Catacombes
40 | Goodlife Beaches - December 2013 - January 2014

‘When spring comes to Paris the
humblest mortal alive must feel
that he dwells in paradise.’
– Henry Miller, Tropic of Cancer
de Paris. This museum, while not for everyone, is
one of the most fascinating attractions in Paris. The
two-kilometre-long series of underground tunnels
is an ossuary (a site made to serve as the final resting place of human skeletal remains) near Place
Denfert-Rochereau.
The ossuary holds the remains of about six million people and fills a renovated section of caverns
and tunnels situated in the remains of Paris’s stone
mines.
As the city grew in the late 1700s and early
1800s, the cemeteries filled up and the need for
space to accommodate the growing city resulted in
the use of the old mines as the new resting place
for the remains.
While originally opened in the late 18th century,
the underground cemetery has been open to the
public on a regular basis from 1874. The tour takes
about 45 minutes to complete, and requires good
mobility.

In the spring, Paris’ parks offer many locations
to enjoy the outdoors and the explosion of colour
that comes with the blossoms. Both the Tuileries
and the Jardin du Luxembourg are must-sees for
visitors, but some of Paris’ lesser know parks will
delight just as much. Buttes-Chaumont, at the
north end of the city, is a sweeping, romantic-style
park with rolling green hills and dramatic waterfalls.
At the south end of the city, not far from Montparnasse, the Parc Montsouris is a peaceful retreat
from the crowds of museum-goers and shoppers.
Like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, no trip
to Paris is complete without a stroll along the
Champs-Elysées. Whether you are a window shopper, a people-watcher, or searching for a one-of-akind designer piece, you can find it all along Paris’
famous tree-lined shopping avenue.
A visit to the Louis Vuitton store, with its constantly changing facade, is definitely a must for every visitor. A sunny spring day in Paris will result in
packed cafes, where you can rest your feet and take
in the sights and sounds.
Whether you have come for the arts scene, the
history, the shopping or just a little bit of everything, Paris is a special city that will touch your
soul, and leave you with a lifetime of memories.

• getaways •

when to go?
There’s never a bad time to be
in Paris as its superb selection
of attractions allows you to
be inside when the weather is
poor or outside when the sun
is shining.
Spring is a magical time in
Paris: the leaves are coming
out, there are blossoms on
the trees, and there is a freshness in the air that is missing
at other times.
April to June are some of the
best months as you will avoid
both the crush of tourists that
come to Paris in the summer,
along with heat that can border on unpleasant.

WHERE TO STAY?
The Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile sits at the western end of the ChampsÉlysées. Beneath the Arc is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from the First
World War, and is one of the most moving memorials to the Great Wars.

While Paris offers an incredible range of standard accommodations, the best way to
really get a feel for the city is

to become a local for a time
and rent an apartment in a
residential neighbourhood.
Paris is a city that needs much
more than a week or two to
explore, and by renting an
apartment you can extend
your stay and give yourself
more time to enjoy all that
Paris has to offer.
You can frequent the local cafés and get to know the baker
as you stop in for fresh croissants for your morning breakfast.
There are many services offering access to a selection
of different, high-end apartments throughout Paris.
A good place to start is Paris
Luxury Rentals (www.parisluxuryrentals.com). They have
a range of properties from
a one bedroom in the Latin
Quarter overlooking Notre
Dame to a 4,500-square-foot
loft that sleeps eight in the
Opera-Vendome District.

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 41

• GETAWAYS •

1
3

1 The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris is at the summit of the butte Montmartre, the highest point in the city. There are spectacular views from the
steps leading up to the cathedral. 2 In the springtime, the leaves burst forth
from their long dormancy, and a freshness envelopes the city. 3 Throughout
the two-kilometre long tour of the Catacombs, the carefully arranged walls
of bones are used to artistic effect. 4 The detail in the façade of Notre Dame
de Paris is spectacular. The building is generally considered to be one of
the best examples of French Gothic architecture. 5 I. M. Pei’s iconic glass
pyramid has become as much a part of the Musée du Louvre as the original
Louvre Palace. It is the world’s most visited museum.
Warren Cartwright
is a nature and
landscape photographer. Visit www.
warrencartwright.
com

5

42 | Goodlife Beaches - December 2013 - January 2014

2

4

AUTHENTIC
THAI
CUISINE
Our concept is inspired by the
needs of customers who want
to dine amidst a relaxed yet
contemporary ambience with
no strict rules on decorum, still
enjoy fantastically authentic Thai
cuisine and at very reasonable
prices. Best of all, they can
enjoy whether in a group or
alone, kudos to our unique
serving style of individual
portions.

Help prevent injury
Reduce muscle tension
Increase range of movement in the joints
Increase circulation of
blood to various parts
of the body
Help overall energy,
which will improve
circulation

my top 5
stretches

To stretch or not...that is the question.
There is no proof that stretching will improve
performance, however, everyone should learn to
stretch regardless of age or flexibility.
Stretching should be a part of your daily routine, but don’t over stretch.
By adding a foam roller to your daily stretching
routine, you will help avoid IT band syndrome, a
persistent knee injury that causes pain mainly on
the side of the knee, and other flare ups due to
tight muscles.
The foam roller also helps people de-stress by
its relaxing movement and tension release.
Therefore, the answer is find time to stretch
and make it a regular part of your daily routine.
Your body and mind will thank you.
And remember, to never stretch a cold muscle.
Make
sure to first raise your heart rate
and blood flow with some
light movements such
as walking or jogging
on the spot.

ost people begin thinking Christmas
on Dec. 1.
But those at Centre 55 have been
talking and planning for Dec. 25 since July as the
centre gears up for its Share a Christmas campaign.
Last year, Share a Christmas helped approximately 800 Ward 32 families in need by providing
toys, food (both fresh and preserved) and essentials, including toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap
and hygenic products.
“The community is very receptive,” says Debbie Visconti, executive director of Centre 55, in
regards to the volunteers who contribute, then
pack and distribute the hampers.
“We’ve been doing this for 32 years and people
like to hear that the stuff they donate is staying in
the community.”
By early November, Centre 55 had already
began collecting items. Monetary donations are
used to buy groceries, gift cards for teens (a group
that is often forgotten during Christmas giving),
pet food and baby formula.
On Dec. 22, a tractor-trailer full of fresh produce, milk, turkeys and ham pulls up to the Main
Street centre and the community comes together
and helps pack everything in boxes.
Nancy Culver, the events and volunteer co-

46 | Goodlife Beaches - December 2013 - January 2014

Community Centre 55:
the destination for
the community
ordinator at the centre, says boxes were stacked
nearly to the roof last year.
“It’s quite amazing, it’s like a miracle on Main
Street,” Visconti says.
The Share a Christmas campaign also allows
businesses to adopt a family.
Centre 55 matches families with participating
companies or classrooms for a more personal take
on the campaign.
Participating families can make specific requests about their needs, which could range from
a new winter coat to a new hockey stick.
Centre 55 doesn’t have a goal in mind, but Visconti predicts they’ll will help the same amount
of people this year.
“Generally it’s the same people every year,”
Visconti says. “Chances are if you were needy last
year, you’re needy this year.”
While Community Centre 55 has been helping
people at Christmas for more than three decades,
for the past 38 years it has been helping people
in the community with various programming
throughout the year.

This summer, about 200 kids were registered
for camp with the centre and this school year
they accepted 250 kids in their daycare program,
which runs in partnership with Kimberly Junior
Public School across the street and Ted Reeve
Community Arena on Main Street. The centre
also offers programs for seniors as well as community meetings.
“The demand is growing (for various programs), we’re able to provide as much as we can,”
Visconti says.
Centre 55 is a common destination for residents seeking community programs as it is in
a heavily residential area and is within walking
distance to many of the seniors and residents in
the area, Visconti says. Another factor that plays
into the demand is the affordable price of the programs and the fact many programs run on a donation basis. The centre doesn’t receive any funding
from the City of Toronto.
With their budget, the centre can only afford
six permanent staff.
“(We get) no money to run programs so we
fundraise. Or charge people for programs and
more affordable daycare,” Visconti says.
The community centre only has a few rooms
to work with on the main floor while the second
floor consists of offices. The daycare is run in >>

• COMMUNITY •

Community Centre 55 is at 97 Main
St. Call 416-691-1113, or visit www.
centre55.com

Photo by Dan Pearce

>> the basement, also the location of a storage
room that still has the original jail cells from
when the building was the 55 Division police
station until 1975.
“It’s more like it was a rickety drunk tank than
anything else.”
In the early 1900s, the building was a town
hall, according to the heritage plaque outside
the building.
The exterior of Community Centre 55 was declared a heritage building by the City of Toronto.
What remains is the original brick workings, the
front door and front desk, the original tile work
in the small foyer of the building and an air raid
alarm on the roof. But the majority of the interior
has been changed.
“It’s been repurposed,” says Visconti.
“We’re just grateful that we can do as much as
we can, with what we’re given.” GL

Opposite page, Community Centre 55 is a fixture in the community. Above, Debbie Visconti,
executive director of Centre 55, with a painting
of Hamper, the centre’s mascot.

‘Tis The Season

GIVE A GIFT

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
THAT WILL LAST
A LIFETIME:
MUSIC LESSONS!

Yamaha Music School
5075 Yonge St. 10th Floor
Toronto M2N 6C6

Loads of Gift Ideas: Toolsets, Screens & More!

65 Rylander Blvd
(416) 283-2783
Mon-Fri 10-7 Sat 10-4

www.classicfireplace.ca

1828 Queen Street East
(416) 698-3473
Tues-Fri 11-7 Sat-Sun 11-4

www.yamahamusicschool.ca

416-224-5590

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 47

• SOCIAL •

2

1

HEiST

BRIDGEPOINT ACTIVE HEALTHCARE HELD ITS THIRD ANNUAL GREAT
JEWELLERY HEIST. THE EVENT, PRESENTED BY CIBC, RAISED MORE THAN
$200,000 FOR BRIDGEPOINT, LOCATED IN THE HEART OF RIVERDALE.
photography by NICK PERRY

seasonal
safety
Keep cords tucked under rugs, taped
to baseboards and out of the way to prevent
any playful teeth from getting a shock from
biting them.

7

Keep your pet away from ribbon and
shiny wrapping paper. It also fits into the
tummy trouble category if ingested.

7

Put noisy (unbreakable) ornaments on
the bottom of the tree or crinkly material
such as tin foil under the tree skirt so you
can hear when disaster is about to strike.

If you have a real Christmas tree, clean
up the needles daily so no one swallows
them. Also, particularly for cats, consider
tethering the tree to the ceiling if you think
kitty might decide to make it a jungle gym.

And while you’re at it, toss the tinsel.
It can cause intestinal blockages, and no one
wants to feel those pains, particularly at this
time of the year.

7

Since animals explore the world partly
through their mouths, Christmas tree lights
and ornaments might as well be blinking the

7

It may not be right to put Baby in the
corner (Dirty Dancing...anyone?), but consider putting your Christmas tree there. It’ll be
out of the way of any playful activities and
less tempting for your four-legged friends.

message “Chomp on me!” Keep lights and
breakable ornaments off of the bottom part
of your tree.

7

Christmas trees, presents and food are all
part of the holidays and traditions we hold
dear.
Each of them, however, can mean trouble
for your pets. While you’re busy with shopping and party planning, add these reminders to your holiday to-do list to keep your
pets happy and healthy.

If you’re expecting guests, remember
your pets may experience each person the
same way you do. They might enjoy the
attention from your BFF, but they probably won’t be crazy about being chased
around the house by your cousin’s toddler
or mauled by your Aunt Gertrude. Consider
either giving your pet a secluded safe haven
for the evening or sharing with guests how
your pet prefers to be treated.

7

Keep your eye on all of the edibles.
Holiday plants such as poinsettias, decadent
food and those edible Martha Stewart-inspired ornaments you stayed up late making
can all be poisonous to their digestive
systems.
Our pets undoubtedly add to the warmth
and love to the holidays. Pack the festive
season with family, friends and memories to
cherish, and keep it safe for everyone.

� ������� ����������
����������
����������
������������
�������������
�������������
������
��������
��������
������
�������
�������
����������
����������
������
������
���������� ������ ������������� �������� ��� ������� ���������� ������
ur shopping
Gongton
Gongton
Design
list
Design
has
whether
has
something
something
for everyone
for everyone
it onbe
your
on your
shopping
for
shopping
list
him,
whether
list whether
it beit for
be him,
for him,
Gongton Design has something for everyone on your shopping list whether it be for him,
in a warm
her,her,
and
the the
oneone
whofriendly
who
has has
it allit or
alljust
or just
forenvironment.
yourself,
for yourself,
all inallainwarm
a warm
andand
friendly
friendly
environment.
environment.
her, the one who has it all or just for yourself, all in a warm and friendly environment.
able.
GiftGift
Cards
Cards
available.
available.

A wine cellar is considered a significant architectural
addition to a home. More and more wine enthusiasts are
looking to convert and dedicate an existing room in their
home for their wine collection.
At Tuscan Cellars our team of knowledgeable wine cellar
experts are at your service to capture your vision and
work with you to bring your dream cellar to fruition.
From the initial meeting with our designers and
engineers we will gather your design criteria - from the
initial concept, to material selection and bottle count
requirements to lighting needs and cooling specifications.
We are certain you will be impressed with our wine cellar
expertise and capabilities along with our professional and
detailed approach to ensuring that all your design and
installation needs are met
and exceeded.